Apparatus for conveying and filling capsules

ABSTRACT

Improvement to an apparatus for conveying and filling capsules comprising a means for detecting the presence of an unseparated capsule in a capsule receiving means after the capsule has been subjected to a reduced pressure to separate the capsule into a body section and a cap section and a means for ejecting such unseparated capsule from said receiving means.

United States Patent Lanigan et al.

[ 1 March 6, 1973 APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING AND FILLING CAPSULES Inventors: Donald E. Lanigan, Greenlawn; Johannes P. Biegert, Selden, both of Assignee: Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis,

Ind.

Filed: Jan. 5, 1972 Appl. No.: 215,607

US. Cl ..209/79, 209/90 Int. Cl ..B07c 3/ 10 Field of Search ..209/72, 74, 75, 79, 90;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,992,729 7/1961 Curtius ....209/79 3,368,674 2/1968 Koeppe ....209/79 3,601,954 8/1971 Aronson ..53/282 Primary ExaminerRichard A. Schacher Attorney--Everet F. Smith et al.

[5 7 1 ABSTRACT Improvement to an apparatus for conveying and filling capsules comprising a means for detecting the presence of an unseparated capsule in a capsule receiving means after the capsule has been subjected to a reduced pressure to separate the capsule into a body section and a cap section and a means for ejecting such unseparated capsule from said receiving means.

8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTED MAR 61973 FIGJ FIG.2

FIG.3

APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING AND FILLING CAPSULES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention This invention relates to an apparatus for conveying and filling capsules. More particularly, this invention relates to an improvement to the apparatus described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,601,954.

2. Description of the Prior Art Two-piece hard-shell capsules have been used in the pharmaceutical industry for decades to define an contain a unit dose of a drug or medicine. Hard-shell capsules prepared from gelatin are popular in the prescription drug business because such dosage forms are easily swallowed by both young and old. Gelatin is compatible with dyes which provide colors in all ranges of the spectrum, enabling the drug producer to choose a color to suit the mood of the drug and to distinguish one pharmaceutical preparation from another by color codes.

Generally, these capsules comprise two pieces which are telescoped together to form an enclosed container. Empty two-piece capsules are manufactured by forming each of the two pieces on a molding pin, stripping the sections therefrom, trimming the pieces to a predetermined length and joining the two pieces by pushing (telescoping) the body section into the cap section. As a rule, the body section is longer than the cap section, so that when the two sections are telescoped together the exposed body section length is about the same as the cap section.

The joined empty capsules are usually introduced into the filling operation in a random pack. The randomly oriented empty capsules are rectified to arrange all of the capsules with the body section in the same direction and such rectified empty capsules are deposited in a receiving means, which can take many forms, and subsequently separated, filled and rejoined.

US. Pat. No. 3,601,954 discloses an apparatus for conveying and filling capsules, and one of the many features of said apparatus is a capsule receiving means which is comprised of two cooperating portions. The two cooperating portions are in alignment to receive the empty capsule when the latter is deposited therein. The capsules are subsequently separated into two sections; a body section and a cap section, immediately after they are deposited in the receiving means. Later, the two portions of the receiving means are forced into a misalignment in order to expose the body section to a powder or pellet filling operation which introduces the desired material intothe body section. When the capsule is separated into the two sections, the misalignment of the two portions of the receiving means proceeds without event. But when the capsule is not separated into its two sections before the two portions of the receiving means are forced into misalignment, the capsule yields in the misalignment operation; it is shattered and no longer exists as an intact body section into which material can be filled.

The separation of the body section from the cap section is accomplished by the application of reduced pressure to the body section. When the joined empty capsule is deposited in the receiving means from the rectification operation, it (the capsule) is seated in a bore having an annular shoulder on which the slightly larger cap section rests, and beyond which it cannot go. This annular ring is in the second portion of the receiving means, serving to hold the cap section completely within the confines of such second portion when the cap and body sections are separated. The body section of the unjoined capsule extends into a bore in the first portion of the receiving means. This bore is in communication with a reduced pressure means which draws the body from the cap and deposits the former in a lower extension thereof. An aperture from the lower extension of such bore to the outside of the receiving means provides the means through which the reduced pressure may be bought to bear on the body section effecting a sudden change in pressure between the internal confines of the joined empty capsule and the outside of the body section.

However, there are occasions when the two sections are so tightly joined together that the brief change in pressure does not provide sufficient force to accomplish the separation. The amount and duration of this force is limited. The rapidly moving automatic receiving and conveying means is not always mechanically perfect and the application of reduced pressure is not always consistent. Consequently unseparated capsules occasionally are encountered and when this situation occurs there is a spillage of powder or pellets in the filling operation with the attendant loss of yield, and a spoilage of product as other capsules are subjected to soiling by the dusting resulting from the unconfined powder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has now been discovered that the presence of an unseparated capsule in the receiving means of an apparatus for conveying and filling capsules can be detected and such unseparated capsule ejected from such receiving means before the two portions thereof are forced into misalignment, thus eliminating the problem caused by shattered capsules resulting from the misalignment operation. The device constituting this improvement to an apparatus for conveying and filling capsules comprises a lever arm cam so mounted as to be movable by the second portion of the receiving means when the latter contains an unseparated capsule, and in such movement engage a switching means, which upon engagement opens a valve in a pressurized fluid supplying system whereupon a burst of pressurized fluid is introduced into the aperture to the bore in the first portion of the receiving means ejecting the unseparated capsule therefrom. The second portion of the receiving means can then be forced into misalignment with the first portion of such receiving means without the attendant shattering of an unseparated capsule.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top horizontal view of the device constituting the improvement in accordance with this invention showing the device detecting the presence of an unseparated capsule in the capsule receiving means.

FIG. 2 is a top horizontal view of the device constituting the improvement in accordance with this invention showing the device in its stationary position.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of two units of capsule receiving means containing capsules.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the following detailed description of the embodiments of this invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

The device constituting the improvement to an apparatus for conveying and filling capsules of this invention comprises: (a) a pivotally mounted lever arm cam 2 positioned to engage the second portion 5 (and 5a) of the capsule receiving means 12 as the latter moves along a flexible endless conveyor, said lever arm cam 2 being extended a sufficient distance into the path of travel of the second portion 5 (and 5a) so as to engage the latter as it moves along a predetermined path, (b) a means 11 for holding the'lever arm cam 2 stationary and undisturbed when the latter is engaged by the second portion 5a of the capsule receiving means 12 when the latter contains a separated capsule, but which yields and allows the second portion 5 to move the lever arm cam 2 out of a stationary position and into an engagement with a switching means 1 when there is an unseparated capsule in the capsule receiving means 12, (c) a switching means I mounted so as to be engageable by the lever arm cam 2 when the latter is moved out of a stationary position by engagement with the second portion 5 of a capsule receiving means 12 containing an unseparated capsule, (d) a valving means (not shown) in a pressurized fluid suppling means (not shown) which is in communication with the switching means 1 and which opens on the latters signal, and (e) an outlet 9 in the pressurized fluid supplying means positioned to discharge a burst of pressurized fluid into the aperture 13 in bottom of the first portion of a capsule receiving means 12.

The novel device which constitutes the improvement of this invention operates as described and illustrated hereinafter.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a lever arm cam 2 is shown being contacted by the second portion 5 (and 5a) of a capsule receiving means 12 traveling from right to left along a flexible endless conveyor. A plurality of capsule receiving means 12 are at spaced intervals along the flexible endless conveyor, each independently comprised of a first portion 4, and a second portion 5 (and 5a), the second portion 5 (and 5a) being pivotally mounted to the first portion 4. FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional .side elevation of two of the capsule receiving means 12 in which there is an unseparated capsule in one and a separated capsule in the other. In FIG. I the lever arm cam 2 has been contacted by the second portion 5 of one of the plurality of capsule receiving means 12, and in which there is an unseparated capsule and has been moved to the position shown and engaged a switching means, illustrated here as 1.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 the lever arm cam is shown pivotally mounted so that the fulcrum is between the restraining force, shown as a tension spring 11, and the engagement force. Because the engagement force will vary between the minimum force applied to the lever arm cam 2 when the latter is engaged by a second portion 5a of a capsule receiving means 12 containing a separated capsule and the maximum force applied when there is an unseparated capsule in the capsule receiving means 12 and the lever arm cam 2 is engaged by a second portion 5, the restraining force must be sufficient to overcome the former, but must yield to the latter. The fulcrum of the lever arm cam 2 need not be located between the two forces, but can be so situated that both forces are on the same side of the fulcrum. Nor must the restraining force be in the form of a tension spring. A compression spring properly mounted will serve as well. Moreover other means can be employed to provide the restraining force. For example, static pressurized fluid and hydraulic devices are suitable. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the tension spring 11 is shown anchored to the frame 10 of the apparatus and is attached to the end of lever arm cam 2 opposite the end at which the engagement force is applied. The restraining force acting on the lever arm cam 2 when the latter is stationary as shown in FIG. 2 is nominal.

The lever arm cam 2 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 mounted at a horizontal right angle to the direction of travel of the capsule receiving means 12, and this is a preferred position for such cam. However, the position of the lever arm cam 2 relative to the second portion 5 (and 5a) of the capsule receiving means 12, with which such cam is engaged, is limited only by the following factors: (1) Accessibility to the moving second portion 5 (and 5a) of the capsule receiving means 12; and, (2) The requirement that sufficient spatial clearance must be provided for the disengagement of the lever arm cam 2 and the switching means 1, after such cam has been engaged by a moving second portion 5 of a capsule receiving means 12 containing an unseparated capsule and actuated the switching means 1, and prior to the engagement of such cam by the next following second portion 5 (and 5a) of a capsule receiving means 12.

The switching means 1 serves as the means of communicating the detection of the presence of an unseparated capsule in a capsule receiving means 12 to the means for ejecting the unseparated capsule from said capsule receiving means. The switching means 1 is in an electrical circuit energizing a valving means in the unseparated capsule ejectment means. While the switching means remains open and out of engagement with the aforementioned lever arm cam 2, the valving means remains closed. When the switching means 1 is closed by an engagement with said lever arm cam, the circuit is closed, the valving means energized and opened to permit the flow of pressurized fluid therethrough.

The switching means 1 is shown out of contact with any part of the apparatus in FIG. 2. FIG. 1 depicts the engagement of the lever arm cam 2 with the switching means 1. Such switching means can be a mechanically operated dipole switch, a fluidic switch, a grounding switch, and the like, preferably a grounding switch which closes to complete a circuit when the grounding pole is engaged by the lever arm cam 2, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Alternatively, a grounding switch can be utilized which opens" when the grounding pole is engaged by the lever arm cam 2. A grounding switch is preferred because the ultra-short time lag, 4 to 9 milliseconds, permits the operation of the apparatus for conveying and filling of capsules over a wide range of forward speeds without a requirement for adjustment of the capsule ejectment means.

When the switching means is a grounding switch which closes upon engagement with the lever arm cam 2, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the engagement of the lever arm cam 2 with the grounding pole of such switch imbalances the diodes in the circuit, whereupon the circuit is closed, and an energizing signal transmitted to a valving means (not shown) in a pressurized fluid supplying system (not shown). Upon receiving the energizing signal, the valving means opens and a burst of pressurized fluid escapes through the valving means. The burst of pressurized fluid is discharged from delivery tube 9, shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. All of this occurs almost instantaneously as the lag in the grounding switch is of such brief duration, as noted above. The valving means in the pressurized fluid supplying means is held open as long as the lever arm cam 2 is engaged with the switching means 1. The delivery tube 9 in the pressurized fluid supplying system is positioned with the outlet therefrom immediately below the capsule receiving means 12 and in communication with the aperture 13 in the bottom of the second portion 4 of the capsule receiving means 12, shown in FIG. 3. The unseparated capsule 6 is ejected from the capsule receiving means 12, as shown in FIG. 2, when the capsule receiving means 12 moves into a position wherein the aperture 13 in the bottom of the second portion 4 of such receiving means is in communication with the outlet of delivery tube 9 in the pressurized fluid supplying system when pressurized fluid is discharging from such delivery tube. The ejection of the unseparated capsule 6 from the capsule receiving means 12 is accomplished by synchronizing the engagement of the lever arm cam 2 and the switching means 1 with the establishment of a communication between the delivery tube 9 and the aperture 13. The burst of pressurized fluid from delivery tube 9 accompanies such synchronization completing the operation.

The pressurized fluid utilized in the pressurized fluid supplying system can be any compressed gas such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, and the like. Preferably compressed air under from about 30 to about 90 psig is employed in ejecting the unseparated capsule.

It is to be understood that modifications of the illustrated apparatus can be made without departing from the spirit of this invention. For example, a series of levers can be substituted for the switching means which can effect the opening and closing of a valving means in a pressurized fluid supplying system by mechanical rather than electrical means. Other modifications which accomplish the operation of ejecting the unwanted unseparated capsule can be substituted for the pressurized fluid element, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, are also within the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a capsule filling machine having a capsule handling apparatus for receiving and conveying a capsule having a body portion and a complementary cap portion comprising:

l. a single, unitary, flexible endless conveyor,

2. a plurality of capsule receiving means spaced along said conveyor,

3. each of said capsule receiving means including a first portion arranged to move in a line along a predetermined path, said first portion having a bottom aperture smaller in diameter than the chamber therein for receiving the body portion,

4. a corresponding cooperating second portion movably connected to said conveyor means, said second portion having a means therein for retaining the cap portion when the body portion is separated therefrom, and

5. means for separating the body portion from the cap portion after said capsule has been placed in said capsule receiving means;

the improvement comprising:

a. a means for detecting the presence of an unseparated capsule in said capsule receiving means,

b. a means for communicating the detection of an unseparated capsule in said capsule receiving means, and

c. an unseparated capsule ejectment means responsive to said means for communicating the detection of an unseparated capsule.

2. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for detecting the presence of an unseparated capsule in said capsule receiving means comprises:

a. a pivotally mounted lever arm cam positioned to engage said second portion of said capsule receiving means as the latter moves along said conveyor, said lever arm cam being extended a sufficient distance into the path of said second portion so as to engage the latter and move it out of vertical alignment with said first portion of said capsule receiving means, and

. means for holding said lever arm cam in a stationary position when the latter is engaged by said second portion of said capsule receiving means containing a capsule which has been separated into a body portion and a cap portion, but which yields and allows said lever arm cam to move when the latter is engaged by said second portion of said capsule receiving means containing a capsule which has not been separated into a body portion and a cap portion.

3. The improvement as defined in claim 2 wherein the means for holding said lever arm cam in a stationary position when the latter is engaged by said second portion of said capsule receiving means containing a capsule which has been separated into a body portion and a cap portion, but which yields and allows said lever arm cam to move when the latter is engaged by said second portion of said capsule receiving means containing a capsule which has not been separated into a body portion and a cap portion, is a tension spring.

4. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for communicating the presence of an unseparated capsule in a capsule receiving means to an unseparated capsule ejectment means comprises a switching means in an electrical circuit energizing a valving means in the unseparated capsule ejectment means, said switching means engageable by said lever arm cam when the latter is moved on engagement by said second portion of said capsule receiving means containing a capsule which has not been separated into a body portion and a cap portion; said switching means, on engagement with said lever arm cam, energizing said valving means.

5. The improvement as defined in claim 4 wherein the switching means is a grounding switch which closes" on engagement with the lever arm cam.

6. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein the delivery tube in a pressurized fluid supplying system communicates with the aperture in the bottom of the capsule receiving means and from which is discharged a burst of pressurized fluid when a valving means in said pressurized fluid supplying means is opened when energized by the engagement of the lever arm cam with the switching means in communication with said valving means.

7. The improvement as defined in claim 6 wherein the pressurized fluid employed in the pressurized fluid supplying means is compressed air at from about 30 to about 90 psig.

8. In a capsule filling machine having a capsule handling apparatus for receiving and conveying a capsule having a body portion and a complementary cap portion comprising:

1. a single, unitary, flexible endless conveyor,

2. a plurality of capsule receiving means spaced along said conveyor,

3. each of said capsule receiving means including a first portion arranged to move in a line along a predetermined path, said first portion having a bottom aperture smaller in diameter than the chamber therein for receiving the body portion,

4. a corresponding cooperating second portion movably connected to said conveyor means, said second portion having a means therein for retaining the cap portion when the body portion is separated therefrom, and

5. means for separating the body portion from the cap portion after said capsule has been placed in said capsule receiving means;

the improvement comprising:

a. a pivotally mounted lever arm cam positioned to engage said second portion of said capsule receiving means as the latter moves along said conveyor, said lever arm cam being extended a sufficient distance into the path of said second portion so as to engage the latter and move it out of vertical alignment with said first portion of said capsule receiving means,

. means for holding said lever arm cam in a stationaa switching means engageably by said lever arm cam when the latter is moved when engaged by said second portion of said capsule receiving means containing a capsule which has not been separated into a body portion and a cap portion,

d. a valving means in a pressurized fluid supplying means connected to said switching means and opening on signal from said switching means, and

. an outlet in said pressurized fluid supplying means positioned to discharge a burst of pressurized fluid into the aperture in the bottom of said first portion of said capsule receiving means when said valving means is opened, ejecting the unseparated capsule from said capsule receiving means. 

1. In a capsule filling machine having a capsule handling apparatus for receiving and conveying a capsule having a body portion and a complementary cap portion comprising:
 1. a single, unitary, flexible endless conveyor,
 2. a plurality of capsule receiving means spaced along said conveyor,
 3. each of said capsule receiving means including a first portion arranged to move in a line along a predetermined path, said first portion having a bottom aperture smaller in diameter than the chamber therein for receiving the body portion,
 4. a corresponding cooperating second portion movably connected to said conveyor means, said second portion having a means therein for retaining the cap portion when the body portion is separated therefrom, and
 5. means for separating the body portion from the cap portion after said capsule has been placed in said capsule receiving means; the improvement comprising: a. a means for detecting the presence of an unseparated capsule in said capsule receiving means, b. a means for communicating the detection of an unseparated capsule in said capsule receiving means, and c. an unseparated capsule ejectment means responsive to said means for communicating the detection of an unseparated capsule.
 1. In a capsule filling machine having a capsule handling apparatus for receiving and conveying a capsule having a body portion and a complementary cap portion comprising:
 1. a single, unitary, flexible endless conveyor,
 1. a single, unitary, flexible endless conveyor,
 2. a plurality of capsule receiving means spaced along said conveyor,
 2. a plurality of capsule receiving means spaced along said conveyor,
 2. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for detecting the presence of an unseparated capsule in said capsule receiving means comprises: a. a pivotally mounted lever arm cam positioned to engage said second portion of said capsule receiving means as the latter moves along said conveyor, said lever arm cam being extended a sufficient distance into the path of said second portion so as to engage the latter and move it out of vertical alignment with said first portion of said capsule receiving means, and b. means for holding said lever arm cam in a stationary position when the latter is engaged by said second portion of said capsule receiving means containing a capsule which has been separated into a body portion and a cap portion, but which yields and allows said lever arm cam to move when the latter is engaged by said second portion of said capsule receiving means containing a capsule which has not been separated into a body portion and a cap portion.
 3. each of said capsule receiving means including a first portion arranged to move in a line along a predetermined path, said first portion having a bottom aperture smaller in diameter than the chamber therein for receiving the body portion,
 3. each of said capsule receiving means including a first portion arranged to move in a line along a predetermined path, said first portion having a bottom aperture smaller in diameter than the chamber therein for receiving the body portion,
 3. The improvement as defined in claim 2 wherein the means for holding said lever arm cam in a stationary position when the latter is engaged by said second portion of said capsule receiving means containing a capsule which has been separated into a body portion and a cap portion, but which yields and allows said lever arm cam to move when the latter is engaged by said second portion of said capsule receiving means containing a capsule which has not been separated into a body portion and a cap portion, is a tension spring.
 4. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for communicating the presence of an unseparated capsule in a capsule receiving means to an unseparated capsule ejectment means comprises a switching means in an electrical circuit energizing a valving means in the unseparated capsule ejectment means, said switching means engageable by sAid lever arm cam when the latter is moved on engagement by said second portion of said capsule receiving means containing a capsule which has not been separated into a body portion and a cap portion; said switching means, on engagement with said lever arm cam, energizing said valving means.
 4. a corresponding cooperating second portion movably connected to said conveyor means, said second portion having a means therein for retaining the cap portion when the body portion is separated therefrom, and
 4. a corresponding cooperating second portion movably connected to said conveyor means, said second portion having a means therein for retaining the cap portion when the body portion is separated therefrom, and
 5. means for separating the body portion from the cap portion after said capsule has been placed in said capsule receiving means; the improvement comprising: a. a pivotally mounted lever arm cam positioned to engage said second portion of said capsule receiving means as the latter moves along said conveyor, said lever arm cam being extended a sufficient distance into the path of said second portion so as to engage the latter and move it out of vertical alignment with said first portion of said capsule receiving means, b. means for holding said lever arm cam in a stationary position when the latter is engaged by said second portion of said capsule receiving means containing a capsule which has been separated into a body portion and a cap portion, but which yields and allows said lever arm cam to move when the latter is engaged by said second portion of said capsule receiving means containing a capsule which has not been separated into a body portion and a cap portion, c. a switching means engageably by said lever arm cam when the latter is moved when engaged by said second portion of said capsule receiving means containing a capsule which has not been separated into a body portion and a cap portion, d. a valving means in a pressurized fluid supplying means connected to said switching means and opening on signal from said switching means, and e. an outlet in said pressurized fluid supplying means positioned to discharge a burst of pressurized fluid into the aperture in the bottom of said first portion of said capsule receiving means when said valving means is opened, ejecting the unseparated capsule from said capsule receiving means.
 5. means for separating the body portion from the cap portion after said capsule has been placed in said capsule receiving means; the improvement comprising: a. a means for detecting the presence of an unseparated capsule in said capsule receiving means, b. a means for communicating the detection of an unseparated capsule in said capsule receiving means, and c. an unseparated capsule ejectment means responsive to said means for communicating the detection of an unseparated capsule.
 5. The improvement as defined in claim 4 wherein the switching means is a grounding switch which ''''closes'''' on engagement with the lever arm cam.
 6. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein the delivery tube in a pressurized fluid supplying system communicates with the aperture in the bottom of the capsule receiving means and from which is discharged a burst of pressurized fluid when a valving means in said pressurized fluid supplying means is opened when energized by the engagement of the lever arm cam with the switching means in communication with said valving means.
 7. The improvement as defined in claim 6 wherein the pressurized fluid employed in the pressurized fluid supplying means is compressed air at from about 30 to about 90 psig. 